The 6 Best Hotels in Shinjuku

Shinjuku, to many, is the unofficial heart of Tokyo. Home to neon-light-drenched streets, moodily lit back alleys lined with tiny bars, shopping galore, and the busiest train station in the world, Shinjuku feels at times like the center of the world.

The neighborhood is great for those who want to be right in the middle of all the action and explore every inch of Tokyo. It's well connected by public transport, easily explorable by foot and home to some excellent accommodation options. Here are some hotels that will ensure your time in Shinjuku is the best it can be.

Towering over the heart of Shinjuku, Hilton Tokyo blurs the line between New York style, Japanese hospitality, and contemporary luxury.

All of the guest rooms are fitted with a 40-inch flatscreen TV, a sleek work desk, and a combined bath and shower. A yukata (Japanese cotton kimono) and a view out over the city or park is also available for most rooms, elevating the comfort of your stay.

Located on the upper floors, Hilton’s King Premium room will give you a superb lookout over Shinjuku, plenty of space to stretch your legs, and a deep soaking tub.

Step out of your suite and head up to the rooftop for tennis, hit the gym, or unwind at the health club’s sauna and whirlpool. The hotel has you covered for a range of dining preferences; restaurant Junisoh for premium sushi, kaiseki and teppanyaki; Metropolitan Grill for steak, seafood, and burgers; or Dynasty for modern Chinese cuisine. Add an English-style pub, executive lounge, and exotic bar Zatta to the mix, and there are enough reasons not to leave.

Still, you’ll want to explore the surrounding Nishi-shinjuku and Shinjuku area in walking distance or pop down to the Tokyo Metro, which is connected to the hotel via an underground walkway.

Chic and stylish, Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku offers an excellent stay in Shinjuku for business travelers and tourists alike.

Renovated in 2007, the soundproofed guest rooms feature a simple decor with a refrigerator, electric kettle, and flat-screen TV. To keep things smooth and convenient, the hotel offers digital check-in, luggage storage, dry cleaning services, and an airport shuttle service (for an extra cost).

At restaurant Trattoria Villazza, guests can enjoy a Western-style buffet for breakfast and traditional Italian fare for lunch and dinner. After a day of work or sightseeing, you’ll want to make your way to Bar Ku Kon for some quality cocktails, snacks, and light refreshments.

Just across the road from Shinjuku Station, Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku sits in an ideal spot for you to wander about the shopping district and visit all the top attractions, including Isetan Department Store and the Kabukicho area.

In what is quite a rarity for central Tokyo, Yuen Shinjuku is a luxury Japanese inn that features a rooftop hot spring onsen. Staying in a ryokan-style hotel amidst billboards and skyscrapers is just the confluence of old and new you’d want from this city of contrasts.

The interior design is contemporary Japanese, with bamboo walkways and guest suites featuring low-lying futon beds and tatami-style flooring. Yuen Shinjuku also provides yukata, tabi socks, and sandals for an added cultural experience.

Restaurant Kakatojo on the ground floor is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, specializing in teppanyaki and tempura. Guests can anticipate exquisite Japanese fare, including grilled meat, fresh sashimi, and set meals.

When you're ready to get out, stroll down to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden to smell the flowers or visit the nearby Taiso-ji Temple and pray to the large jizo Buddhist statues.

Being one of the largest accommodations in the area, Shinjuku Washington Hotel has quite a striking exterior. Directly connected to Shinjuku Station, you can easily access the district’s shopping and dining options, as well as hop on a train to anywhere in greater Tokyo.

To cater for different needs, the hotel offers a range of accommodation plans for businesses, couples, and families, as well as short-stay plans if you’re just after a power nap in between meetings.

With free wifi, an on-site convenience store, and a lounge with massage chairs, Shinjuku Washington is all about making your stay in the city a comfortable one.

On-site restaurant Manhattan Table serves up a mixed-cuisine breakfast, dinner, and skyline views. Depending on the time of day, you can settle in for a coffee or cocktail in cafe and bar Baron.  

Positioned in central Shinjuku, the Kimpton Shinjuku is the type of hotel for those who want to be in the heart of the action. Despite being in the middle of one of the world's busiest cities, the hotel itself exudes a buzzy yet laid-back charm.

Designed by the Rockwell Group, the Kimpton embodies the collision of two of the world's most creative and vibrant cities; Tokyo and New York. The New York influence is best seen in The Jones Café | Bar, with its American-inspired style and Japanese hospitality; it's a sophisticated combination.

The hotel features spacious regular guest rooms, twin and doubles, but the specialty suites are a highlight. There are five suites, Junior Suite King, Junior Suite Twin, Premier Suite King, Premier Suite Twin, and the 70 square meter-large Shinjuku Suite. An added bonus, this hotel, like Kimptons all over the world, is dog friendly too.

Stay in Shinjuku in unparalleled style with a few nights at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo. This five-star hotel is Japanese modern-traditional luxury at its finest.

The rooms blend minimalist Japanese design ethos with modern finishes, making a stay as elegant as it is comfortable. The hotel has 18 suites and 746 rooms altogether, offering 17 various room styles in total, meaning there's something for every taste.

When it comes to dinner options, there's no shortage of choices. You'll surely find something to satisfy with authentic Japanese kaiseki, sushi, teppanyaki, classic Chinese to Italian-inspired, and all-day dining. Finish the night with a drink at Eau de Vie, the hotel's private club, and sample some of the world's finest whiskies and spirits.